Question: I am looking to buy a laptop that will last at least four or five years. I am a primary school teacher and mainly use a laptop for Office Suite tasks, internet browsing and Netflix. I don't do anything substantial on the photo or video side of things. I was thinking about a 'two-in-one' laptop, but I'm wondering whether they're sufficiently durable. If they do last, then I would be interested. If a standard laptop is the best option, is it possible to get a slim laptop without sacrificing specifications or durability? I would appreciate any advice or recommendations you can give.
Answer
For what you say you want, a two-in-one laptop is ideal. This is mainly because if you are going to use it for Netflix or Amazon Video or Disney+, many two-in-one laptops now have fully rotating hinges, meaning you can stand them up vertically on a table or a stand without taking up much space.
Similarly, in my experience, two-in-one laptops are no less durable - given sensible, non-rambunctious usage - than ordinary laptops.
Given what you say your primary usage patterns are, you won't need something very powerful. On the other hand, you can't really settle for a basic model either because it will seem frustratingly slow in two or three years. My advice is to get a two-in-one laptop with a rotating hinge that has a minimum of 8GB of Ram, an Intel Core i5 processor (or equivalent chip, like AMD's Ryzen 5) and 256GB of storage. You should get one for about €800. For example, Curry's has an HP X360 Pavilion with all of these specifications for €820. It's a decent buy.
Recommendation: HP X360 Pavilion, €820 from Currys
Question
I need a new phone. I'm thinking of an iPhone 11 but heard that Apple will bring out a new model soon. Is it worth waiting? Will I be kicking myself if I get the iPhone 11 now?
- M Kelly, Dublin
Answer
Barring a major surprise, Apple will bring out the iPhone 12 in September. Most leaks suggest that the main difference to the iPhone 11 will be 5G compatibility and a slightly different physical case design. Of these features, the case design is arguably the more interesting new element. If you remember the old iPhone 4S phones from eight or nine years ago, you'll recognise the new aesthetic: it's pretty gorgeous. 5G is less of an obvious must-have feature. It will eventually be needed, but none of the mobile networks are even close to anything resembling a comprehensive Irish rollout. (Three hasn't even started its rollout yet.) My guess is that 5G won't really be seen as a really valued feature for a least another two years.
The iPhone 12 will almost certainly have the now-customary upgrades in camera quality. This will reportedly combine with a powerful new chip to allow the iPhone to give you 'augmented reality' technology, which is at an early stage of development. Again, this may not be seen as a must-have feature for most people. Beyond the likelihood of those things being included, we don't really know what the iPhone 12 will bring.
I will say that if you get an iPhone 11 now, you won't be disappointed in that particular handset. I think that the current model is one of the most underrated upgrades in iPhones in some time, mainly because of the additional battery life. I've had every iPhone since it was launched. But the iPhone 11 was the first one I could reliably use all day, every day without a power top-up needed.
So the real answer to your question hinges on how much you depend on your phone. If it's just a thing you use for Facebook, WhatsApp, Google, email and YouTube, the iPhone 11 will be absolutely fine. If it's something you really love, wait for the iPhone 12.
To put it another way, if it was me (a tech-loving individual), I would definitely wait for the new model. But if it was my mother, I'd say it doesn't make much of a difference.
Question
I run a busy law firm. Now that more of us are working from home, what virtual assistants would you recommend us to look at to help us in the day-to-day running of the office environment?
- Gary M, practising solicitor
Answer
You don't have all that much choice. It's really either Google or Microsoft. But although Microsoft is much more focused on workplaces, its Cortana assistant has some big drawbacks, like defaulting to Bing (a search engine virtually nobody in Ireland uses). Even still, I'm assuming that your 'office environment' uses Microsoft as a core software installation. If that's the case, I'd be focusing on Microsoft's assistant in the medium to long term. If not, and you use G Suite or Docs or Google Meet, Google's Assistant is pretty powerful.
Email your questions to aweckler@independent.ie
Tech Two
Huawei Matebook X Pro
€1,599 from Harvey Norman
This is the best conventionally built slim Windows laptop I've used this year. It has an almost flawless combination of design and power and is ergonomically incredibly comfortable. It's also light, slim and sturdy with a high-end engine, good battery life, a great display and loads of built-in storage as standard.
Google Pixel Buds 2
€199 from retailers
vThese are a real alternative to Apple's Airpods. They have excellent audio quality and are very smart: they can even translate languages for you in real time using the Google Assistant. Just say "Hey Google, help me to speak Spanish" and, as long as you have an Android 6 phone, they will start translating.
